Charles Van Tassel,

Charles J. Van Tassel, Jr., M.D. passed away January 4, 2012 after a long and courageous battle with prostate cancer. Dr. Charlie Van Tassel was a dynamic individual dedicated to his family, his profession and Indiana University. He lived a long and productive life and was always fully engaged. His was a life well lived. First and foremost, Charlie Van Tassel was a loving and devoted husband to Marjorie Jane Little Van Tassel. They celebrated 65 years of marriage before Marge passed away on September 9, 2009. Together they forged many long lasting relationships and created wonderful memories. He was also a wonderful father and role model to his two children, James W. Van Tassel, M.D. and Cynthia Van Tassel Yeo, who most regrettably preceded him in death on December 30, 2008. He is survived by his son, Jim and his wife Liz, and Cynthia?s husband, Thomas S. Yeo; grandchildren, Charlie Yeo and wife Stacey, along with Will and Vivian (great grand children), Ted Yeo, Betsy Yeo, Carrie Van Tassel Fulkerson and husband Christopher, James Van Tassel and Lauren Van Tassel who will all miss their ?Vandad? and ?Granddad? and are lucky to have years of time spent with him. Char...[more]

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was born April 1, 1922 in Indianapolis. He attended Shortridge High School (1940) where he met his wife, Marge. He graduated from Wesleyan University in Middleton, CT (1943) where he was a member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity and then attended IU Medical School (1946). Charlie completed residencies in Pathology and Surgery at St. Vincent Hospital and Urology at IU Medical School. He started his career in the military as Chief of Urology at Camp Cooke, California and Camp Atterbury, Indiana. His private practice in urology started in 1953 with James F. Balch, Sr. where he maintained an office at the Hume Mansur Building until 1972. He then started the practice Van Tassel-Holland Urology with Trey Holland, M.D. until they joined Associated Urologists, Inc. He retired in 1998. Dr. Van Tassel helped make history at St. Vincent Hospital. He was a key part of the move from the original location of St. Vincent at Fall Creek to 86th Street. He served as Chairman of Urology for 30 years and during his tenure as President of the Medical Staff and Chairman of the Executive Committee, he helped facilitate the start of the cardiac surgery program at St. Vincent with Drs. Joseph Finneran and Harris Schumacker. Dr. Van Tassel has always had a keen interest in students of the medical profession. Though he has received many awards, some of which are noted below, he would tell you that he is very proud of helping and mentoring young doctors over the years. Many will remember the annual house staff event that he and Marge hosted for many years at the Van Tassel?s cabin in Brown County where each would receive a gift of a Christmas tree and dinner at the Nashville House. Dr. Van Tassel?s dedication to medical students is reflected in thirty plus years of service on the IU Medical School Admissions Committee and his years of service as a Clinical Professor of Urology at the IU Medical Center. He received the American Medical Association?s Physician Recognition Award three times, the Otis R. Bowen Distinguished Leadership Award (1995), the Indiana University Distinguished Alumni Award (1996), the St. Vincent Distinguished Physician Award (1997), and the J. O. Ritchey Award from the J.O. Ritchey Society of the Indiana School of Medicine (2009). Dr. Van Tassel will be remembered for advocating quality care for patients, improvement in techniques for treating disease, obtaining necessary hospital equipment, and promoting the selection of qualified students for the medical profession. Other clubs and organizations have also benefitted from his generosity of spirit and humor. The Junto of Indianapolis call ?Chickie? their own and granted him Emeritus status in 2004 after 40 years of membership. He was a charter member of the Crooked Stick Golf Club and a member of the Woodstock Country Club in Indianapolis. He and his wife Marge enjoyed playing golf throughout their years together. Charlie?s favorite round was at Crooked Stick in the 1970's when he shot a 79. He also had one hole in one! The older he got the shorter and faster his swing became but he was still a joy to play with and watch. He loved his annual Peyronie?s tournament which he started in 1984 with the help of Blackie, Dewey and Glenn. Charlie also became an avid fly fisherman and enjoyed his annual trips out west with close friends. As a younger man he was an accomplished sailor. But anyone who knew Charlie Van Tassel, knows that he developed a deep and life long love of Indiana University. He and his wife Marge supported Indiana University Athletics and the Indiana University Foundation for many years. They were long time season ticket holders and loyal attendees at basketball and football games and numerous other Indiana University functions. They were generous contributo